Flashing gaseous discharge lamp



March 30, 1937. w. FOERSTE 2,075,188

FLASHING .GASEOUS DISCHARGE LAMP Filed June 20, 1934 2 Sheets-Sheet l M ,0 Flai ATTORNEY March 3o, 1937. w, ,.-OERSTE 2,075,188

FLASHING GASEOUS DISCHARGE LAMP Filed June 20, 1954 l 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Fla? y '-16.10 mail 95, 9? 5,7/ INVENTOR I WIHIAM FoaRsTE 90 ma 9|/ 163 gz/ |04 93 |05 BY ATTORNEY Patented Mar. 30, 1937 PATENT ori-ics msnmc. GAsEoUs Discman LAMP William Foerste, Pelham Manor, N. Y., assignor, by direct and meme assignments, tolackard Properties, Inc., New York, N. Y., a corporation of New York Application June zo, 1934, 'serial No.` '131,433

3 Claims.

The invention relates to a system embodying illumination members of the gaseous discharge lamp type and also to devices for controlling the energization of the lamps. The invention is con- 5 cerned more especially with so-called a iimator" illumination systems contemplating successive illumination of a plurality of associated lamps both with extinguishment of one lamp as a succeeding one is energized, as well as for maintaining illuminated all of the lamps as they are successively energized. As is well known, it is desirable for various reasons to interrupt the current in the secondary circuit of a transformer for operation of animated signs of this type rather than the primary circuit; but diilicultyis experienced in the design of a suitable control device for the higher voltagesprevailing in such secondary circuit.

The invention has for an object the provision of a simple and effective control device for use in the secondary circuit operating the lamps of either of the aforementioned systems; and a device which operates with low power consumption and which shall possess relatively long life with respect to its contact-making elements.

A further object of the invention contemplates the provision of contact points small in contact area -relatively to the area of controlling plates or electrodes which serve to actuate the saidy contacts, and adapted to avoid vibratory contact therebetween of the frequency of the applied current and caused by electrostatic attraction.

Still another object is the provision of contacts of non-fusible material. 1

Another object of the invention resides in the provision of a simple mounting member for the control device whereby the same may be readily connected into the `secondary circuit; and, also, the provision of associated means for reducing sparking difficulties at the contact element and for minimizing radio disturbances therefrom.

Still another object of the invention resides in the provision of a control device which may be electromagnetically or electrostatically operated or the control effected by both means, the cooperating contact-making elements in all cases being located, preferably, within an evacuated vessel to increase the life of the device and to reduce damage thereto as well as fire hazards.

In carrying out the invention, a plurality of gaseous discharge lamps is arranged to be connected in a novel manner to a suitable source of energy, as the secondary of a transformer; and the individual lamps are controlled also by -the novel type of control device lsuch that the lamps of the series may be successively energized to give the appearance of motion, or the energization may be cumulative with respect to the lamps as in so-called speller" systems. v

The novel contact device embodies a preferably evacuated glass vessel within which is mounted a pair of cooperating contact-making elements, one at least of which is movably mounted in the vessel, being connected with a plate or electrode element which may be electrostatically charged or electromagnetically attracted, or both, by suitable means associated with the vessel and generally externally thereof. These means are under the iniluence of the energy activating the controlled lamps; and in the case of the noncumulative illumination of the lamps of a series, the different lamps are designed to be successively of lower breakdown resistance in the direction of the desired illumination of the said lamps. In the case of the cumulatively illuminated lamps, the respective lamps are initially connected in both multiple and series to the source of energy and are then successively connected by the novel control devices only in series with one another.

In both systems, when illumination of the nal lamp of the series is attained, the control device acts to de-energize, in the4 former arrangement the last lamp of the series, and in the latter arrangement all of the lamps of the series. 'I'he novel arrangement admits also of being associated with permanently illuminated portions constituted by gaseous discharge lamps.

The nature of the invention, however, will best be understood when described in connection with the accompanying drawings, in which:

Fig. 1 is a diagrammatic view illustrating the non-cumulative illumination arrangement equipped with the novel control device.

Fig. 2 is'a similarvview and illustrates the arrangement for the cumulative illumination.

Fig. 3 is a plan view of the novel control device and mounting member for the same; and Fig. 4 is a longitudinal section thereof taken on the line 4 4, Fig. 3.

Fig. 5 is an enlarged transverse section through the device and mounting member, and taken on the line 5 5, Fig. 3.

Figs. 6 and 7 are respectively a front elevation and a longitudinal section through the evacuated vessel constitutinga portion of the control device.

Figs. 8 and 9 are respectively enlarged transverse sections taken on the lines 8 8 and 9 8, Fig. 7 of the drawings.

Figs. 10 and 11 are respectively a front, eleva- Cil tion and a longitudinal section of a modified form of the control device.

Figs. 12 and 13 are enlarged transverse sectional views taken respectively on the lines I2-I2 and l3-I3, Fig. 10 of the drawings.

Referring to the drawings, more particularly Fig. 1 thereof which is a diagrammatic repre-v sentation of the particular arrangement for the animated system composed of gaseous discharge lamps operating in succession with the preceding lamp extinguishing as the succeeding one is energized, power for operating all of the lamps is derived from the secondary coil I0 of a transformer; and a display portion Il is shown associated with the animated portion, being connected in series therewith for permanent display.

This animated portion comprises a plurality of gaseous discharge lamps I2, I3 and I4 which are connected in multiple for successive illumination to produce the eiect of motion, and to this end are successively of lower breakdown resistance in the desired direction of illumination. Thus, the lamp I2 is connected through a lead I5 and one of the novel control devices to the common lead I6; the lamp I3 through a lead I'I and a further control device to said common lead; and the lamp i4 through the lead I8 and said further control device also to said common lead-there being required one less control device than the number of lamps operated thereby.

The two control devices 20 and 2l are thus indicated in Fig. 1; and each includes a normally open set of cooperating contact-making elements, the one 22 being indicated as stationary and the other 23 as movable. To this end, the

contact 23 may be carried upon a rocking support member 24 movably supported as in being mounted in a vessel 25 which is preferably evacuated to minimize sparking eiect at the contact-making elements. These are constructed of non-fusible material suchgas carbon, graphite, tungsten, etc., or combinations thereof.

The rocking support 24 carries at one end an electrode or armature 26 and at the opposite side of the fulcrum an electrode or armature 2T, both electrodes being located in the vessel; and said support member may be constructed of substantially rigid material, or the same may be of a more or less flexible nature to iniiuence the amplitude of oscillation thereof and thereby the control periods, as hereinafter set forth.

One of these two said electrodes 26 and 2l is adapted to be influenced, that is to say, attracted, electrostatically or electromagnetically, or to be subject to both forces. Thus, there may be associated with the electrode 26 of the control device 23 as well as with the similar electrode 26 of the control device 2|, and preferably externally of the evacuated vessel, stationary electrodes 29 and 30, respectively. These electrodes are arranged in juxtaposed relationship with the corresponding electrodes 26 and 26', and are of non-magnetic material when the control device embodies also electromagnetic control of the said electrodes, as hereinafter set forth. Provision is made as through the leads 3l and 32, respectively, to connect these electrodes to one side of the line, the juxtaposed electrodes 26 and 26' being connected to the opposite side of the line through the leads 33 and 34, respectively, thereby imparting electrostatic charges of opposite polarity to the said sets of juxtaposed electrodes. 'I'he eiect of this will be to cause the electrodes of a set to be attracted and to rock the support member 24 accordingly.

A. condenser 35, say of .005 mfd. and a series resistance 36, say of 10,000 ohms, may be connected across the cooperating contacts 22-23, and similarly a condenser 37 and resistance 38 about the cooperating contacts 22 and 23', to further reduce the sparking thereat.

The introduction of such condenser will serve also to minimize the voltage applied across the pair of juxtaposed electrodes and thus prevent excessive electrostatic effect therebetween. Furthermore, with respect to the cooperating contacts of a control device, the contacting surfaces thereof should be of minimum area to reduce any electrostatic action therebetween to a minimum so that the same will have no controlling effect upon the juxtaposed electrodes.

In order to obviate radio interference from the operation of control devices of the aforesaid nature, it is desirable to introduce reactors or choking means into the circuits controlling the lamps I2, I3 and I4; and such reactors may serve also to supplement the force moving the support member 24 as in providing for an electromagnetic attraction upon the movable electrode of a juxtaposed set, such as the electrode 26 or 26 which will then be constructed of electromagnetic material. Thus, as indicated in Fig. 1, an electromagnet 4B may be included in series in the lead I5 and an electromagnet 4I in series in the lead I1, the same being located externally of the corresponding evacuated vessels and with their pole pieces in proximity to the corresponding electrodes. A further electromagnet 42 is associated with the one control device 20 and an electromagnet 43 with the control device 2I, said electromagnets being located in proximity to the corresponding electrodes 21 and 2l and the former electromagnet 42 being connected in series with electromagnet 4 I in the lead 3I, and electromagnet 43 being connected in series with the lead 32.

The operation of the system is as follows: When the secondary of the transformer I0 is energized, the sign portion II will illuminate and also, as indicated, the lamp I2 of the animated section comprising the lamps I2, I3 and I4, the circuit being directly through the electromagnet 40 to the common lead I6. This causes electrode 26 to be attracted to close the circuit at the contacts 22-23; and in so doing magnet 42 will be energized to attract its electrode 2l to restore the open-circuit condition at the contacts 22-23.

With the closing of the contacts 22-23, the circuit to the lamp I3 was closed; and this lamp having a lower breakdown resistance than the lamp I2, the said lamp I3 will be caused to be energized and the lamp I2 extinguished. At the same time, the electromagnet 4I will be energized thereby to close the contacts 22'-23 for energization of the next-succeeding lamp, as the lamp I4. The electromagnet 43 has also been energized lwith the closing of the contacts 22-23 and will cause electrode 2l'. to be attracted to reopen the said contacts. This causes lamp I4 to be extinguished and restores the original condition for repetition of the cycle` it- CII QSI

coming energized and the preceding one becoming extinguished results from the fact that in the use of an alternating current supply, the voltage applied to a lamp drops to zero value from a peak voltage. voltage will therefore be prevented from being energized on the next half cycle due to the fact that the voltage will be prevented from reaching the value necessary to energize said lamp of higher striking voltage, as in the meantime another lamp of lower striking voltage will have attained its required striking voltage, and thus become energized. In other words, there must be sufilcient impedance in series with the lamp l5 of lower breakdown voltage to prevent the voltage from rising above the breakdown potential of the lamp of higher breakdown voltage. The

impedance and IR drop of the source of supply as well as that of other means included in series Z with the tube of higher breakdown voltage insures the operation solely of the tube of lower breakdown voltage. A few volts drop, say from 10-15 volts, will serve to accomplish the result and this may readily be obtained by choosing the proper circuit constants.

The novel control device which may comprise an evacuated glass tube 25 is provided with suitable conductive end caps 50 and 5| to afford a cartridge type device which may be snapped into 30 suitable clips 52 and 53 mounted on one side of al panel box 54, as indicated in Figs. 3 and 4 of the drawings. Furthermore, there extends upwardly from the surface of this panel a pair of pole shoes 55 and 58 representing the electro.

35 magnets 40 and 42 or 4| and 43 oi'. a corresponding control device, the said electromagnets for corresponding shoes being located within the panel-box on the opposite side of the cover. In this box portion, furthermore, there may be re- 40 tained the resistance 36 or 38 and the associated condenser 35 or 31, the connections to the various members being suitably made in manner well understood. An electrode 28 or 30 may be secured to the outer surface of the panel as beable contact 23.l This latter may be retained convenientlyby coiling the wire about the sameI as at 65; the wire then being continued to` aiford 60 a support for the electrode 21. Similarly the lead-in wire 6| may be provided with the coiled portion 66 to retain the opposite and stationary contact element 22.

In Figs. 10-13, inclusive, a modified form of G control device is indicated, the same being solely l of the electrostatic type including merely two juxtaposed electrode plates and 1| and both mounted within an evacuated vessel 12, these plates being designed to be attracted to each 70 other electrostatically. The plate 1| in this Vernbodiment is the stationary one and is connected to the lead-in wire 13 which terminates in the cap 14 about the sealed end of the vessel. Similarly, the lead-in wire 15 is secured to the cap 18 about the opposite sealed end of the vessel and A lamp of higher striking tween one of the pair of pole shoes, for ex-l is connected to the exlble end 11 of the support for the movable electrode 10. A stationary contact element 18, as of carbon, is designed to cooperate in making contact with a similar contact element 18 carried .by the support 11.for the electrode 10. Thus, when opposite charges are supplied to these electrodes, as through the caps 14 and 16 at the opposite ends of the vessel, the contact elements 18 and 19 willbe momentarily attracted and then separated under the action of the flexible mounting 11, whereupon the cycle is repeated.

This form of control device may be substituted for the one indicated in connection with the system shown in Fig. 1; and it may also be utilized in the system wherein it is desired to cumulatively illuminate the individual lamps of a sign; but it is preferred to utilize the first described type as the action of the modied form is inclined to be extremely rapid. This action may be retarded, however, by suitably weighting the movable element or otherwise increasing its inertia.

In connection with the cumulative illumination system, reference being had to Fig. 2, of the drawings, the various lamps 80, 8|, 82 and 83v are connected both in series with one another and in multiple as through the leads 84, 85,4 86, 81 and the common lead 88. 'There is introduced for each of the said lamps a control de` vice of the nature hereinbefore described; but,

,contacts 84, 85, 86 and 81, the one contact element of a pair being movable through the action of an electromagnetic electrode 98, 99, |00, |0|.

In this form of control device, the electrostatic electrode has also been omitted as well as the second electrode, and the movable elements are counterweighted by the counterweights |02, |03, |04 and |05 to normally maintain the respective cooperating contacts closed. Electromagnets |08, |01, |08 and |08 are associated with the respective electrodes or armatures 88, 88, |00 and |0| to attract the same when an electromagnet is energized and thus open the circuit throughthe corresponding'cooperating contact elements.

In operation, it will be noted that the first iauip so will be connected direcuy 'and through a circuit of least resistance so that the remaining lamps will be short-circuited and only the lamp 80 illuminated. However, electromagnet |05 will also become energized thereby to open the cooperating contacts 84 so that the current throughv lamp 80 will be diverted and obliged to pass also through the next lamp 8|, placing the same in series therewith. This, in turn, will cause the current to flow through lamp 8|, electromagnet |01 and the contactelements 84 to illuminate in addition the lamp 8|, and thus continue. to complete the cycle.

I claim:

1. In a positive column gaseous discharge tube system, comprising a source of alternating current and a plurality of saidtubes of progres sively decreasing breakdown voltage: means to connect one terminal of -said source to one terminal of each of said tubes and including anv as indicated, the same is of the first described lever, and the vother of said pairs stationary,l

with the. highest breakdown voltage and each pair embodying a stationary and a juxtaposed movable contact element, all of the movable contacts being connected to the other terminal of said source, and electrically operating means adapted for energization of each of the tubes, except the one with highest breakdown voltage, for moving the movable contact elements into contact with a juxtaposed stationary contact element, said electrically operating means for the lamp immediately succeeding the one of highest breakdown voltage being included in circuit with the energizing circuit of the latter, and the successive electrically operating means for succeeding tubes in circuit with the energizing circuit of its immediately preceding tube, together with electrically operating means for separating the contact elements included in circuit With the energizing circuit of the associated lamp.

2. In a positive column gaseous discharge tube system, comprising a source of alternating current and a plurality of said tubes of progressively decreasing breakdown voltage: means to connect one terminal of said sourceto one terminal of each of said tubes, including an impedance device in series, pairs of contacts, one pair for each tube except the one with the highest breakdown voltage, pivoted levers, one for one contact of each of said pairs, means for mounting said one contact of each pair upon its corresponding means acting upon each lever to maintain the contacts open, separate circuit means to connect the other terminal of each one of said tubes except the rst to its associated stationary contact, a pair of magnetically permeable plates on each of said levers, a circuit directly connecting the other terminal of said source to the tube of highest'breakdown voltage and including an electromagnetic device .for acting upon the magnetic plate of the tube of next lower breakdown voltage to close its associated Contact and similar electromagnetic devices'in the said separate circuit means o the succeeding tubes except the last one, means to connect all movable contacts to the other terminal of said source, and each of said separate circuit means also including electromagnetic meansto act upon the other plate of a lever to open its associated contacts.

3. In a positive column gaseous discharge tube system, comprising a source of alternating current and a plurality of said tubes of progressively decreasing breakdown voltage: means to connect one terminal of said source to one terminal of each of said tubes, including an impedance device in series, pairs of contacts, one pair for each tube except the one with the highest breakdown voltage, pivoted levers, one for one contact of each of said pairs, means for mounting said one contact of each pair upon its corresponding lever, and the other of said pairs stationary, means acting upon each lever to maintain the contacts open, stationary conducting plates, one for, and connected to, each of said stationary contacts to be at substantially the potential thereof, separate circuit means to connect the other terminal of each one of said tubes except the iirst to its associated stationary contact, a pair of conducting and magnetically permeable plates on each of said levers, and connected to the movable contact to be at substantially the same potential thereof, one of each of said pairs of plates forming an electrostatic area with the associated plate of said stationary plates, a circuit directly connecting the other terminal of said source to the tube of highest breakdown voltage and including an electromagnetic device for acting upon the magnetic plate forming the electrostatic area of the tube of next lower breakdown voltage to close its associated contactl and similar electromagnetic devices in the said separate circuit means of the succeeding tubes except the last one, means to connect all movable contacts to the other terminal of said source, and each of said separate circuit means also including electromagnetic means to act upon the other plate of a lever to open its associated contacts.

WILLIAM FOERSTE. 

